Solar Panels : Worth it ?

Catanonia

Catanonia

Catanonia

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Joined
15 Mar 2012
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2,315
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Santas Grotto
We have a large south facing roof and over the years I have been thinking about solar panels. Now most of the big jobs are done, I have the time / effort etc to do it.

BUT

Is it still worth it. I have done some searches on the web and of course OCUK and there are many mixed views with rips off, ending government funding, reduced rates etc.

So is it still worth it. I hear that the rates / schemes are going to stop in January.

What are the current facts as I don't really want to give me number / details out to the many companies flooding me with emails. I'd rather have an informed decision and make the approaches myself if it is still worth it.

Thanks
 
Personally I don't think so. Especially with the end of grants. Even then I thought it was a long term investment. So if you plan on moving house within the next 15 years (someone will be along to give you a better time line) it definitely isn´t worth it…

I am not that read up on it though. At least not recently.
 
I had a client who we had spec'd panels for to get the SAPs calculation to pass but with the grants stopping in January he was looking into Biomass. He had some estimations produced and he would have realistically been looking at 15years for the panels to pay for themselves.
 
Check your home insurance - especially about possibly running things during the day.

A panel will actually be good for offsetting the additional power used by a fridge during the day/sunny days. However your insurance may not cover you if you leave the washing machine on delay to come on whilst you're not in to take advantage of that power.

On the positive side.. a panel would do nicely to offset the power consumption caused by pond filtration.
 
phil-k said:
I have read in a newpaper recently that having these fitted puts off future buyers for some reason
Click to expand...

well that's kind of true, my wife doesn't like the look of them and she didn't want a place with them installed on the roof. So it makes sense.
 
phil-k said:
I have read in a newpaper recently that having these fitted puts off future buyers for some reason
Click to expand...
now I'm the opposite, I see them as a bonus on a purchase (assuming you can claim the rates back)

In regards to the OP, we're currently at a point where it's borderline whether it's worth it or not. Personally because I use a fair amount of electric during the day (I work from home) I would still get them.
If I worked at an office or was not at home during the day I'd probably not bother because I wouldn't see any real term gain from having them when I consider outlay etc.
 
Id say 99% of people we install heat pumps for say to us that they considered solar panels and have decided its not really worth it anymore because of the payback being cut
 
phil-k said:
I have read in a newpaper recently that having these fitted puts off future buyers for some reason
Click to expand...

I think that's if you've had them fitted without owning them - rather letting a third party operate them.

The issue is that because you don't own them, and you have committed the property to a contract with a third party for say 15 or 20 years - both the mortgage company and the prospective buyers will avoid. The problem is that the seller has an outstanding contract - so they need to sort that out before the sale can go through.

If you own them, they have been professionally fitted then they are an asset of the sale and there are no commitments, no outstanding contracts and so the result is as easy as a normal sale.
 
See our back roof is south facing and gets the Sun all day, it just arks over the back. In the summer the back garden gets too hot for me. Front is in the shade that works perfect as I wash the cars out on the drive.

A few house have these panels and always thought it would be great generating your own electricity. Like everything I just don’t think the tech is there yet on price. Just look at the Garden LED solar lights when they first came out they were well rubbish now they actually are bright and useful.

If I viewed a property and they had modern panels it would be an bonus personally. Before we know it we will have an electric car outside on charge and who would not like to sit out the back knowing your car out the front is being charged as the sun shines.
 
If you're in "forever" house than I'd go for it. Even if it doesn't look financially beneficial at the moment. Chances are price of electricity will only go up in future and having use of solar panels (or some other kind of renewable energy for that matter) will still mean you'll be in a good position in future.
 
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